TGIF?

First, I have to say that I've been good about keeping work/life separate.  Most of my colleagues are on their email 24/7 including weekends and vacations.  I learned that I need that time to recharge and balance things out.  And I've been relatively good, up until now.  I have a massive project deadline that has myself and my group working long hours.  By 2 PM Friday afternoon I kept thinking TGIF and then laughing at myself  because there weren't enough hours between now and Monday morning client meeting.  

And I started realizing everything I had to cram into a finite weekend.  I had committed to spending a weekend with Cece and the kids and know she's shared with them the news.  Canceling on a friend is one thing but canceling on kids is a completely different thing.  For the project there is an inordinate amount of work we must get done, or else not a happy client - and it's all come up in the last couple of days. In the past I could complain about my boss over-promising or being unreasonable and now I find myself being that boss.  I'm the one with the client relationships who is held accountable.  It's a good thing but not when I haven't got the right resources.  Still working on that and fingers crossed I have something that might be falling into place next month to help. Very cryptic but don't want to jinx things.

So last night after marathon meetings internally working with my team and making sure we were all working through theis use for next weeks was realizing there was no way I could just get everything done staying late.  At about 9:30 I recognized I was loosing steam and called it quits for the night.  I have been stressed lately and part of it is that it's lonely as you move up, more is on your shoulders and less people to share your burdens with - it can weigh heavily.  But last night, even though this is the most I've ever faced I'm in better spirits than previous weeks/months because I'm not alone.  Working with my team and getting them focused they rallied and are behind me 100%+   They are having to scramble to squeeze in time this weekend too.

When we walked out the door around 10 last night I felt like it's these kind of things that bring the group closer.  Because of morning meeting I had my car and ended up giving folks a ride home. I didn't get home until after 11 and just woke up early to crank through as much as I can this morning before I meet up with Cece and the kids.  I'm going to have to cut my visit short tomorrow - would love to stay the entire afternoon but at least I'm not completely swallowed up by work.  And I'm trusting that the break will only energize me for round two of next week.

The good thing is that I can take the lessons learned from this experience on this project and change what we commit to on future projects so this is not repeated.  I'm happy that I am my own boss and not stuck with these situations on an endless basis.  I only wish there were a few extra days and tomorrow was Friday and not yesterday.  Hopefully this will be the only time and all future Fridays are TGIFs!